Our First Artist Takeover: The Intricate Wildlife Art of Sarah Lake

For the very first time, CCF is excited to feature an Artist Takeover. Just like our Photographer Takeovers, where we showcase wildlife through the lens of talented photographers, this new series will shine a light on artists who use their creativity to celebrate wildlife and support conservation.

Our first featured artist is Sarah Lake, a paper artist from Kent whose intricate hand-cut artworks bring animals to life in delicate layers. What makes Sarah’s story even more inspiring is that she donates her pieces to support conservation charities, including CCF UK.

Sarah’s journey into papercutting began over ten years ago as a hobby. Using tools passed down from her father, she taught herself the craft, experimenting with ways to turn flat sheets of paper into layered works of art.

Her first donations went to The Big Cat Sanctuary, and she continues to support them today. Later, her talent reached a wider audience when Helping Rhinos approached her after spotting her winning piece in Sketch for Survival 2021. That moment marked the beginning of her deep involvement with wildlife causes.

The Inspiration Behind the Art

Every one of Sarah’s pieces begins with a photograph — sometimes her own, sometimes in collaboration with wildlife photographers. Recently, she has been learning photography herself so she can capture her own reference images.

Her love for wildlife can be traced back to childhood memories, like the time her father showed her a hedgehog up close in their garden. These small but powerful experiences shaped the deep connection with animals that now drives her art.

What makes Sarah’s work so unique is her process. Each photograph is split into layers, printed onto hammered paper, and carefully drawn over for highlights and adjustments. She then cuts each layer by hand with a scalpel, glueing them together to build depth and detail.

“My favourite part is seeing them come to life layer by layer. I also enjoy challenging myself with how much detail I can fit into a piece, especially the small ones,” Sarah says.

 

The result is a one-of-a-kind artwork — no photograph is ever used twice, making each creation truly unique.

Art With a Purpose

For Sarah, the most rewarding part of her work is knowing that it helps wildlife conservation. “It still doesn’t feel real if I’m honest. Being able to make something that can go on to raise funds for these charities is my favourite part of my job,” she shares. Her first collaboration with CCF began through her connection with James Hanaway (previously at The Big Cat Sanctuary, now with CCF UK). Sarah had long admired Dr. Laurie Marker’s dedication to cheetahs and was inspired to support CCF’s work.

A Special Auction for Conservation

As part of Sarah’s Artist Takeover, we’re thrilled to announce an exclusive auction featuring one of her latest works: a stunning paper artwork of Tafari, a cheetah cub recently born at Yorkshire Wildlife Park and beautifully photographed by acclaimed wildlife photographer Alan Gamble. Handcrafted from eight layers of premium paper, this intricate piece captures Tafari’s playful spirit with remarkable depth and precision. Measuring 20cm x 20cm (framed size 35cm x 35cm), it is a one-of-a-kind creation that reflects both Sarah’s artistry and her dedication to wildlife conservation.

Sarah, the 2024 David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year, has generously donated this artwork to support CCF UK. All proceeds from the auction will go directly towards CCF’s mission to protect cheetahs in the wild. Click here to bid on the art piece now.

By taking part in this auction, you’re not only acquiring an extraordinary piece of art — you’re also helping us #SaveTheCheetah. You can bid on this amazing artwork now by clicking here!

All in all, Sarah’s story is proof that conservation takes many forms — whether it’s field research, photography, or, in her case, delicate layers of paper. Through her art, she has found a way to give wildlife a lasting voice and to support charities working on the frontlines of conservation. You can explore more of Sarah’s work on her website.